Random Question Thread VII: I Find Your Lack of Research Disturbing

[Shinryuu]

ACC, MAB, Wind Blade, Thunderstorm

[Luger]

Wiki says fSTR is calculated as fSTR2/2. Does that use capped fSTR2?

[Jeryhn]

What are the standard merits for SMN?

EDIT: Just to clarify, I mean SMN-specific merits. I probably won't merit skill (although I *might*).

If yes on skill, 5/5 in both Physical and Magical Attack.
If no, 5/5 in Physical Attack and Accuracy.

However, you should strongly consider meriting skill because of Diabolos' Favor. With 8 merits in it, you can easily maintain the 317 skill threshold for +4 refreshga while still wearing full perpetuation gear. This also goes for the other Favors, but Diabolos' is essentially the only one that really matters.

For Group 2, personally I did one in each Bloodpact to maximize elemental options (the base power of each Bloodpact is the same), and then upgraded both Thunderstorm and Heavenly Strike to level 3 to participate in the majority of good magicbursts. Some people like Wind Blade though because the Karura Hachigane makes it easier to generate TP with Garuda. Overall Group 2 will largely come down to personal preference and your Group 1 merits will most likely affect what you unlock and upgrade.

[Baelorn]

is there a bigass map of vanadiel in general anywhere on the internet? you know shows all the zones/connections between them, etc. in 1 big map?

would be cool.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mathew....im/zonemap.jpg

[Oreth]

Are FFXI Community Profiles instantly up to date? I know FFXIAH is pulled from that and there is usually a que for update but are the sites themselves instantly up to date? Say like a players job levels etc? Or would there be a 24 hour window where its not up to date

[ZhiGaruda]

ACC, MAB, Wind Blade, Thunderstorm

This is the correct answer for SMN merits. Don't listen to Jeryhn, I think he might be a little bit "flying turtle"

[Jeryhn]

=(

[Nevex]

Any particular reason to cap Thunderstorm and Wind Blade? Wouldn't you be better off focusing on the elements BLMs don't have covered (i.e. anything but ice/thunder)?

[TheMysteriousX]

BLM's cover Ice and Thunder for a Very Good Reason (because they're fucking pwn).

[Dooom]

BLM's cover Ice and Thunder for a Very Good Reason (because they're fucking pwn).

Blms cover ice and thunder because they're the strongest spells of their tiers (AM2 aside). Elemental pacts are different from this; so what makes sense for blm doesn't for necessarily smn.

Most smns I know went with wind/garuda for the ZNM hat, and for another one to MB onto other level 3 SC's when wind won't work. Having a brain fart so can't remember which ones that'd be, but you get the idea.

[Callisto]

Any particular reason to cap Thunderstorm and Wind Blade? Wouldn't you be better off focusing on the elements BLMs don't have covered (i.e. anything but ice/thunder)?

The vast majority of things worth fighting in the game are weak to either Ice or Thunder.

[TheMysteriousX]

Blms cover ice and thunder because they're the strongest spells of their tiers (AM2 aside). Elemental pacts are different from this; so what makes sense for blm doesn't for necessarily smn.

Most smns I know went with wind/garuda for the ZNM hat, and for another one to MB onto other level 3 SC's when wind won't work. Having a brain fart so can't remember which ones that'd be, but you get the idea.

Not so much that they are the strongest, just that there are very very few things that are strong to both ice and thunder, as they are at opposite ends of the elemental spectrum. Packing on for Ice and Thunder means that you should always have a fully merited spell that the target doesn't resist.

[FailureMidgard]

The vast majority of things worth fighting in the game are not strong vs at least 1 of either Ice or Thunder.

ftfy, your initial statement was definitely incorrect.

[Jeryhn]

Any particular reason to cap Thunderstorm and Wind Blade? Wouldn't you be better off focusing on the elements BLMs don't have covered (i.e. anything but ice/thunder)?

The reason why a SMN would cover the same elements as a BLM (ice/thunder) is because skillchains will usually be set up for a BLM to magicburst off of. In any situation where you're using MB as a source of damage, you're likely to have a NIN or a BRD or whatever use the appropriate threnody or ninjutsu or whatever to lower the target's resistance to the appropriate element.

[Byrthnoth]

On the other hand, Geocrush is pretty badass with the stunning and the titan and the thong.

[Jeryhn]

As is a fully merited Wind Blade with a cheap Garuda to generate TP with.

Which elements you merit is likely going to come down to how you've merited Group 1 and what you do regularly with your SMN.

[Cairthenn]

regularly with SMN.

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/ff...Tunnel-pic.jpg

[nitsuj]

Ok guys, what are the best augments for the Moogle expansion hat and the Shantoto pants for a SMN who has full relic, marduk hands/head/legs, gaiters and AF+1 feet/legs...

Just curious on opinions here, as most of them don't seem as black/white as the ACP body.

[Jeryhn]

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/ff...Tunnel-pic.jpg

lol, yeah, which is mostly the point when it comes to a discussion about SMN merits.

And two points in SMN skill would take care of that.

[Jeryhn]

Ok guys, what are the best augments for the Moogle expansion hat and the Shantoto pants for a SMN who has full relic, marduk hands/head/legs, gaiters and AF+1 feet/legs...

Just curious on opinions here, as most of them don't seem as black/white as the ACP body.

A cure potency kit, I guess? Or some elemental siphon pants. Everything else would be covered by what you already have.